Tell somebody how HIV/AIDS is contracted. Tell somebody you don't want unprotected sex. Tell somebody to get tested. Tell somebody that knowing your status is critical in preventing the spread of HIV. Tell somebody there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Tell somebody about this Web site if they need to know more. Tell somebody how HIV/AIDS is contracted. Tell somebody you don't want unprotected sex. Tell somebody to get tested. Tell somebody that knowing your status is critical in preventing the spread of HIV. Tell somebody there is no cure for HIV/AIDS. Tell somebody about this Web site if they need to know more.

In January 2008, Allan Richards, the current Interim Associate Dean at Florida International University's School of Journalism and Mass Communication, charged his multimedia class with developing a Web site about HIV/AIDS. That assignment led to a trip to the epicenter of the epidemic with two journalism students which resulted in a 30-minute documentary, "Lessons from South Africa."

Inspired by the South African media's creative coverage of the disease, Richards' SJMC colleague Kate MacMillin and her students produced a four-part dramatic Web series about a 38-year-old HIV positive Latina that was posted on The Miami Herald's Web site. MacMillin's series in turn led to a gripping Q&A session about HIV/AIDS in South Florida between FIU students and clinicians from the Miami-Dade County Health Department.

Richards and MacMillin's 18-months of reporting on HIV/AIDS in South Africa and South Florida will be presented in a WPBT2 one-hour special titled "Tell Somebody," airing on October 15, 2009 at 10:00 p.m.

This “Tell Somebody” blog site contains elements of the one-hour program plus additional interviews, AIDS resource materials and FIU students’ reactions to working on the productions. We will continually be updating the site, so please check back in periodically to see what's new. Send us your comments . . . and Tell Somebody . . .

Watch the Full one-hour special titled "Tell Somebody: The New Face of HIV/AIDS":